Light

Blocking

Definition

Blocking is a technique used in experimental design where subjects or items are grouped together based on certain characteristics before being assigned to different treatment groups. It helps control for potential sources of variation and increases precision in estimating treatment effects.

Analogy

Think about organizing your closet by grouping similar clothes together before deciding what outfits to wear each day. By doing this, you can easily compare different outfits within each group (block) and make more accurate decisions about which ones look best on you.

Related terms

Treatment Groups: These are groups within an experiment that receive different levels or types of treatment.

Random Assignment: This refers to randomly assigning subjects or items into different treatment groups, ensuring equal representation across all groups.

Factorial Design: This is an experimental design where multiple independent variables (factors) are studied simultaneously, allowing for analysis of their individual effects as well as interactions between them.